Olympics Final Result: U.S.-Japan
In a group that includes quality teams like Nigeria and Holland, the U.S. needed to beat Japan today in its Olympics Group B opener.
A Stuart Holden goal proved enough for a 1-0 win and while not particularly convincing, the U.S. took its chance while Japan did not take their more plentiful chances. The U.S. was also fortunate not to have a penalty call go against them late in the game.
With Nigeria and the Dutch drawing 0-0, the U.S. sits atop the group. Up next: Holland on Sunday.
Complete Olympics soccer coverage.
U.S. lineup: 18-Brad Guzan; 2-Marvell Wynne, 6-Maurice Edu, 15-Michael Parkhurst, 3-Michael Orozco; 7-Stuart Holden (10-Benny Feilhaber, 83), 4-Michael Bradley, 16-Sacha Kljestan, 14-Robbie Rogers (8-Danny Szetela, 87); 11-Freddy Adu, 17-Brian McBride - Capt. (12-Jozy Altidore, 74).
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About 100 Percent Soccer
Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005 for the Daily News, Daily Breeze and other Los Angeles area newspapers. The blog of the same name began in 2007. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook and follow him on Twitter.
Is it just me or does McBride look about 50 in those game photos?